With this latest episode in the explosively popular Origami Yoda series, Tom Angleberger proves once again that he has his finger puppet squarely on the erratic pulse of middle-school life' ( Washington Post). United, can they defeat the FunTime Menace and cope with a surprise attack from Jabba the Puppett? But some crises are too big for Origami Yoda to handle alone: Form a Rebel Alliance the students must. Instead, it's driving everyone crazy with its obnoxious videos of Professor FunTime and his insidious singing calculator! When Principal Rabbski cancels the students' field trip-along with art, music, and LEGO classes-to make time for FunTime, the students turn to Origami Yoda for help. Dwight's back-and not a moment too soon, as the gang faces the FunTime Menace: a new educational program designed to raise students' standardized test scores. And how's this for a mind-bender: JEDI-Jesus Even Died for I.Dark times have fallen on McQuarrie Middle School. The Luke Skywalker I know is about neither. Star Wars to me is about spirituality and doing what's right, and has more to do with Christianity than even George Lucas intended (and FTR: I'm not touching SW 7, 8, and 9 with a 10-foot lightsaber). These books don't honor the Star Wars I knew. But Yoda can't do it alone, and needs all his friends to form a Rebellion to crush the New Order. I suffered similar indignities once but I was cool about it.) So the kids need the help of 'Captain Dwight' and his trusty Origami Yoda puppet. more at this series should enter the Dark Side by caving in to prurient interests, and if I sound too harsh.tell me nicely? The McQuarrie School is hit with ahuge blow from the School Board Empire as the kids are made to endure a film involving a beakdancing dictionary and a singing calculator (this does not compute, I know. Read/listen to these books! I hope George Lucas appreciates the brilliance of this series. This is a must, especially for Star Wars fans. Each episode is more & more gratifying, & makes me laugh harder.

But I'm getting some excellent acting and voicing. I'm listening to the audio, so I think I'm missing some great drawing. The 'inside' references (Mara Jade?), the tween & teen-isms (hallway hug walking?), The ageless issues of the quest, the inside jokes (Lucas County School District?! ) and the digs at troublesome education issues (teaching for the test) make me nod along, laugh, & appreciate the author's insight.

Review 1: The 'Origami Yoda' series gets better with every book.

The surprise attack of jabba the puppet